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Galaxy Nexus Face Unlock Works with Real Face AND Photo

Those of you who are thinking that the Face Unlock feature in Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich–and first featured in the Galaxy Nexus–is a security feature may be in for some disappointment. Someone was able to show a photo to the Galaxy Nexus and the device instantly unlocked itself without complaining.

Blogger Soya Cincau captured live footage of the “test” that was done that showed the Galaxy Nexus unlocking itself when shown a photo of the face programmed for the device’s Face Unlock feature.

The “test” was conducted during the launching of the Samsung Galaxy Note in Jakarta, Indonesia. The guy on the video is carrying a Galaxy Note and a Galaxy Nexus. Face Unlock on the Galaxy Nexus was configured to recognize his face and he took his own picture using the Galaxy Note.

When the photo on the Galaxy Note was shown to the Galaxy Nexus for facial recognition, the Galaxy Nexus recognized the face.

The video is gaining popularity on YouTube right now and along with this fame come questions about authenticity. Some readers are trying to dispute the credibility of the video. Given the limited details captured on the video, having these questions will always be appropriate. Yet, Cincau insists that the devices were not preprogrammed or rigged in any way. It’s the real deal.

The makers of the video have been trying their best to assure the authenticity of what they discovered. They even mentioned some names that can vouch for the “flaw” that they have discovered.

It seems that the Face Unlock feature in Ice Cream Sandwich is not yet ready to be a security feature. In fact, the About screen of the app informs users that Face Unlock is “less secure than a pattern, PIN, or password,” and that Face Unlock may work for someone who looks similar to the device’s real owner. Truth be told, this Face Unlock feature is not yet perfect. We’ve read news about this feature not working properly, especially in dimly lit areas.